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The Lakers star knew his monumental run of scoring in double figures was threatened. At the decisive instant, though, he wasn't bothered.

The smart move meant distributing the rock – so he did. Consequently, the unprecedented record was over.

James's staggering streak of 1,297 consecutive NBA regular season double-digit scoring performances ended this past Thursday, when basketball's greatest scorer finished with eight total points during the Lakers' 123-120 win against the Toronto Raptors. He made the decisive pass, finding teammate Rui Hachimura to hit a three-pointer at the buzzer.

“Nothing,” James said in response about the streak ending. “The important thing is we won.”

An Unselfish Choice Seals Victory

James could have attempted to win the game – while also extending his record – with the last shot, but he chose to make the extra pass to his teammate stationed in the corner. Hachimura sank it, with LeBron celebrated immediately.

It's about playing the game the proper way. You always make the smart play,” James explained. That has always been how I operate. That’s how I learned to play. I’ve done that throughout my career.”

“LeBron is very conscious exactly how many points he has at all times,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick. He acted just as he has throughout his career.”

The Record's Final Moments

He returned to the contest one last time with just over five minutes left, the outcome along with the historic run on the line. At that stage, he had six points on 3 for 15 from the field by that point.

He got a bucket at under two minutes remaining to tie the game but then missed a shot at 1:01 left that might have pushed him into double figures.

He passed up another shot – even though he had a chance. A teammate found him as time wound down, yet LeBron decided to dish it off instead of shooting.

“The basketball gods, if you approach it correctly, they often bless you,” the coach concluded.

Reflecting on a Monumental Streak

James's streak began over eighteen years ago. It was easily the most extended double-digit streak the league has ever seen: His Airness, Michael Jordan previously held a streak of 866 consecutive games with 10+ points, Kareem recorded 787 such games, and The Mailman was fourth on the list with 575.

He is such an unselfish player,” remarked Lakers center a fellow Laker.

He simply plays the game of basketball. He could have shot but given the player he is and his character as an individual, he chose the unselfish play, dished to Hachimura and secured the victory.”

Getting to ten points had typically been an afterthought well before the fourth quarter began. During James’s streak, he had achieved double figures entering the fourth over twelve hundred times coming into the contest.

Yet two such single-digit games through three quarters had occurred just days before: He recorded nine points going into the fourth versus the Mavericks last week, then had six going into the fourth versus the Suns earlier in the week.

LeBron was able to extend the streak against the Suns. One game later, it concluded – yet he was celebrating all the same.

“I always just make the correct play. That comes naturally, regardless of outcome,” James said. If you make the unselfish play, the game gods forever returning the favor.”